To Tempt A Tiger(49)

In fact, they’d spent many nights in settings just like this, a cabin in the mountains, snuggling in front of a fire after a day of hiking snowy cliffs.

He’d never made her feel odd for her thrill-seeking nature. He’d gone with her into the adrenaline jolt of adventure. And at night, when they came together, it was another kind of rush, the ultimate thrill.

Could they ever have that again? Did she want that again?

She’d changed in the last four years. Being a single parent to a child with medical problems hadn’t destroyed her love of thrill and adventure, but it had certainly made her more cautious and realistic. She didn’t have time for many of the distractions of youth anymore. And she didn’t dare to do something that could get her killed because she had a child to take care of now.

Her life wasn’t simply her own anymore. In many ways, she belonged to Zoe as much as Zoe belonged to her, and she lived to ensure her daughter was safe and loved.

He didn’t know her this way. Would he even like this more staid version of herself? She was happy with the woman she’d grown into, and proud of the way she’d handled being a single mom, but that didn’t mean he’d love the person she’d become.

She realized if he couldn’t, if they didn’t fit now, they might have been doomed from the beginning. She would have always grown into this person, she was certain of that. Even having a husband wouldn’t have changed her approach to parenting or the changes she was willing to make to be a mom.

“We don’t really know each other anymore,” she murmured. “I want you to have a relationship with Zoe. I think it’s important—beyond the whole shifter thing. But you and I? There might just be too much history between us.”

“You’re right in that I don’t know you as well as I’d like. But I can see the kind of mother you are, and the woman you’ve become. The strength you always had has deepened and matured. And I like it.”

He raised a hand and cupped her cheek, stopping her when she opened her mouth to respond. “I want to give us a chance, Rose. I don’t have the words, I don’t know the right things to say. I don’t know how to earn back your trust. I just know I want you still, always, and I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to win you back.”

Her chest tightened with all the emotions welling up. When he leaned close, she didn’t pull away. And when his lips pressed against hers, all the old feelings and need came roaring back with the same power that had always been there—was still there. She fell into him, tunneling her fingers through his hair and holding him close.

He tasted so good, so right. His arms came around her, pulling her close. Memories of times past, of the nights they’d spent in each other’s arms, gave power to the moment. When she was sure he wouldn’t pull away, she released her hold on his head and ran her hands along his shoulders, down his back, remembering and savoring his hard, muscled body. His shoulders drove her crazy. She couldn’t get enough of them.

But she wanted less clothing in the way. She’d seen him naked several times recently and those images joined with her memories, sending waves of desire right to her core. Last night, just touching his bare skin under his shirt had scorched her. The thought of stripping him and exploring his beautiful body again robbed her of all sense. In that moment, she didn’t want to think and she certainly didn’t want to worry. She wanted to throw caution to the wind and take what she’d missed so much these last few years.

It had been a long time since she’d felt like a sexy, vibrant woman. She’d spent a lot of time being Mommy and trying to forget her heartbreak. In those years, she’d pushed her desires and needs as a woman to the back of her mind—something she’d worry about in some distant future when she had time.

Since Vlad had returned, all those suppressed needs had roared back to life. She’d resisted the lure of them last night because there was still so much unsettled between them. Tonight, she was losing the fight. Wetness seeped between her legs, her breasts felt swollen and ripe, her body tingled and sparked.

And it felt so good.

Only Vlad could do this to her. Only Vlad had ever let her be herself, completely and totally, giving her a freedom no one else ever had.

She wrapped herself closer, practically crawling onto his lap. Her responsible mommy brain paused a moment to listen for any tell-tale sounds of Zoe waking up, and when she heard nothing, she dove back into the lust and need, the feel and taste of a man she’d loved and wanted even when she’d hated him.

The feel of his hands caressing down her back, across her hips, down her thigh, made her wiggle against him, trying for a closeness she’d only get if they were naked.